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0:00If you are looking for house plants that do not take up a lot of space and are easy to grow, air plants might be the right choice. There are more than 500 different species of air plants. Officially they are known as Tillandsia. These plants are native to places in North and South America that support year-round plant growth. Air plants belong to the same family as the pineapple. Instead of soil, these plants attach themselves to things like trees, rocks, and buildings. They do not cause problems for the objects They grow on. Air plants do not have roots. They depend on specialized cells, called trichomes, to permit their leaves to take in water and nutrients. Associated Press gardening writer
1:12Jessica Damiano has experimented with air plants and offers these guidelines for people Wanting to Grow Them Air plants require bright, indirect light. So they should be placed near an east or west-facing window, but not directly in front of it. Direct sunlight can burn the plant's leaves. In homes with average humidity levels, put air plants in a bowl of room temperature water once a week for 30 to 60 minutes. In homes with drier air this process can be repeated when needed. Lightly shake the plants to remove extra water, then place them upside down on a cloth to dry for several hours. This step is necessary to prevent water from collecting on the plant's leaves, which can cause damage. If using chlorinated water it is best to let the liquid sit for 12-24 hours to permit the
2:34chemical to dissipate before watering plants. Air plants are especially sensitive to chlorine. Growers should feed their air plants with any all-purpose houseplant, bromeliad or orchid fertilizer. The substance should be added to the soaking water monthly to provide added nutrients. Use about half the amount suggested by the fertilizer manufacturer. Air plants bloom only once. The resulting pink, coral, purple or white flowers are a signal that the plants are nearing death. However, air plants produce offshoots known as pups. These can be separated into new plants once they grow to about one-third the size of the parent. Notable air plants include Spanish moss, which can be found hanging from large trees in tropical
3:46or subtropical areas. In the home, Spanish moss is grown in a humid environment such as a bathroom. Another kind is Tillandsia ionatha, which is also known as the sky plant. It is a shaggy-looking plant with green bracts. are leaf-like structures that grow from the area just beneath a flower. The tops of bracts can turn pink or purple before flowering. Tillandsia caput medusae is named for its similarity to the snake-haired head of Medusa from Greek mythology. The plant is popular because of its long wavy leaves that grow upward from a fat round base. Perhaps the most unusual species of Tillandsia is the xerographic air plant. This kind is known as the king of air plants. It can grow up to about one-half meter.
5:01The plant's long thin silver leaves curl downward to produce a round shape that sets it apart from other air plants. You can place air plants in just about any spot that provides the required sunlight and good airflow. Glass containers or terrariums are popular choices, but growers can also put air plants can grow inside seashells or on rocks. One could even create a floating Tillandsia garden by hanging several plants from fishing line. The plants can also be attached to natural wood pieces with wire or glue. Some choose to grow them inside hanging frames. When choosing placement possibilities, the main thing to keep in mind is to make sure Remember you are fully meeting all the plant's needs.
6:08I'm Brian Lynn.
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